The Magpies look likely to regain several key players ahead of the annual ANZ Stadium fixture however Maxwell, who strained his calf against Melbourne in his side’s Queen’s Birthday draw, appears unlikely to make the trip north.
The skipper is listed as a test for this week’s game along with regulars such as Luke Ball (groin), Alan Didak (hip), Ben Johnson (ankle) and Shane O’Bree (ankle).
Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh said of that group, Maxwell was the least likely to play.
“He’s probably doubtful,” Walsh said of the gutsy defender.
“We’ll see if he can go later in the week, training wise, but I think he’s the one ... he might struggle.”
Maxwell isn’t the only Collingwood defender struggling at the moment. Nathan Brown dislocated a shoulder in the VFL two weeks ago and Walsh confirmed he was likely to miss a month, further reducing the Pies’ backline stocks.
Brown won’t require surgery but does need time off to strengthen the joint.
However the news is better for Ball, whose immediate playing future seemed unclear less than a fortnight ago when coach Mick Malthouse said he was unsure how long his recruit may be sidelined.
There were fears Ball’s recurring groin injury, which hampered his final seasons at St Kilda, may have resurfaced. But it appears a two-week break will see him fit to take on the Swans.
Johnson and O’Bree should also be available for selection after overcoming ankle complaints while Walsh said Didak, who destroyed the Swans in the corresponding match last year with 34 disposals and two goals, was on track after being a late withdrawal against the Demons with a hip complaint.
“He [Didak] didn’t miss by too much in the Melbourne game, so we never expected that it was going to be a long-term thing,” he said.
Saturday night’s match against the Swans looms as critical to Collingwood’s top-four prospects.
The Pies, overtaken by Fremantle on Saturday night, could jump to second spot on the table if they win and Geelong beats St Kilda.
